Are You a Dog Lover? Let’s Discover Which Are the Most Popular Breeds in the U.S.

It’s not a secret that Americans love dogs. According to the American Pet Products Association, around 65 million households in the United States own at least one dog. Considering that there are 350 dog breeds out there, you may wonder which are the top choices for Americans. It may not be surprising that Golden Retrievers are at this top, but some breeds are unexpectedly popular.

17 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the United States

1. French Bulldog

For the second year in a row, the French Bulldog breed was declared number one in the American’s top favorite dog breeds. Frenchies are considered one of the best choices since they don’t bark a lot and they also don’t shed. Basically, they seem perfect. They are very friendly, they love to spend time with their families, and are rarely seen as angry or aggressive. They don’t have any special requirements other than a one-hour daily walk.

According to Kennel Club, you should always pay attention to the way Franchies breathe, since they have a flat face, when they exercise it can become very hard for them not to overheat. So, make sure you avoid putting them to make too much effort in hot or humid weather.

Frenchies are considered low-shedders and are considered perfect for tiny apartments. They are very happy in small places and tend to sleep a lot. So, if you are searching for a pet, the French Bulldog breed sounds really good.

2. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is considered a family dog. A lot of movies have been using this breed as a main character. They are very loyal, energetic, and smart. They are very easy to train, they just need extra space to consume all the energy they possess. According to the Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers need more than 2 hours per day to exercise.

Unfortunately, a huge disadvantage when it comes to this breed is the shedding part. Some Labrador Retrievers are shedding a lot, but you can reduce this by brushing them once a week. Keep in mind that during spring and fall may need to brush them daily, since these are known as high-shedding seasons.

3. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are very similar to Labradors, they are also very friendly and loyal. Golden Retrievers are known for their affectionate demeanor. They LOVE long daily walks and are full of energy, which is why it’s very important also to stimulate them mentally. You can purchase special toys for them and one of the best alternatives is, by far, the dog puzzle. It will keep your dog busy for some time.

They need more than 2 hours per day to walk and consume their energy, so before deciding to get a Golden Retriever, make sure you have enough free time.

Compared to Labradors, they have a thicker and longer coat, making them high-shedders. So, they need to be brushed a minimum of 2 times per week.

Both Labrador and Golden Retrievers can deal with specific health issues such as ACL tears, hip dysplasia, and knee injuries. Actually, all these concerns are relatable for all big dog breeds.

4. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are known for being great rescue dogs, but sometimes they can be really intimidating! Believe it or not, they are incredibly friendly and can also be lovely house pets. Even though they can get very protective, they’re still very cute.

This breed requires a lot of mental stimulation and if you can’t offer them enough time, they are very likely to destroy your house. To prevent this you can stimulate your dog with all kinds of chewing toys and sports. We recommend some that can be found on Amazon!

According to the American Kennel Club, German Shepherds are the best workers, being very easily trained.

Common health issues they deal with are dysplasia, Gastric dilatation, and degenerative myelopathy.

5. Poodle

Oh, who doesn’t love poodles? They are some of the sweetest and smartest dog breeds! They are also very intelligent and social, needing a lot of mental stimulation and physical activity.

Their size is medium and is perfect for small apartments since they are not considered a high-shedding breed. They are very good in the presence of other pets and children and adore always making new friends.

When it comes to their beautiful and curly coat, poodles need a lot of care. Most importantly, their hair tends to get matted, and to prevent that you will need to brush them every other day. That’s not all! Every six weeks you’ll need to have their coat professionally clipped and groomed.

When it comes to health issues, poodles are prone to gastric dilatation and also eye issues such as progressive retinal atrophy.

6. Bulldog

Bullgods are low-energy and are known for being very lazy. For example, they are the best companion for a Netflix movie, while you’ll be entertained by the characters, they’ll peacefully take a nap.

According to The Kennel Club, they need a minimum of an hour per day for exercising, in order to stay healthy. As Frenchies, they have also flat faces, which means that they are at high risk of heart stroke. They are awful swimmers, so pay attention whenever you are near a pool or by the sea.

Bulldogs don’t like physical activity and sometimes don’t shed at all. There are just some short periods per year when they are more prone to shedding. Isn’t that great? A lot of Americans considered these advantages before getting this breed.

Bulldogs are prone to dermatitis, cherry eye, mange, and dry eye.

7. Rottweiler

Rottweilers are friendly but also very protective. With training, they can learn how to control their territorial instincts.

They are a very big breed and love to be constantly active. They need daily jogging and long walks to consume their energy. Despite their size and potential, Rottweilers don’t bark much.

Unfortunately, hip dysplasia is a very common concern for this breed as well as eyes and heart issues.

8. Beagle

Beagles are special dogs, known for their beautiful colorful coat. They are described as being playful, friendly, and active. They are very curious and want to play a lot. They sniff everything and sometimes their curiosity is hard to be kept under control.

Beagles are considered non-shedding dogs since they need just weekly brushes.

Here are some common health issues Beagles face: luxating patella, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism. Ah, and their huge ears are also a big problem! They tend to get easily infected, so you should also pay attention to that.

9. Boxer

Boxers are very protective and most people believe they this breed tends to be very aggressive which is totally wrong. They require plenty of training since they are big and muscular.

Boxers love to play with children and are very friendly and gentle. They are perfect family dogs, the only problem is their space. They need a lot of it! Also, you need to have enough free time to spend with your Boxer, since they don’t like to be left alone.

Exercising is a must and daily walks are probably your dog’s favorite activities.

When it comes to health issues, here are the most common ones: heart strokes, brain tumors, and irregular heartbeat (known as “boxer arrhythmia”).

Are you interested in finding out more about dogs? You should also read this article: 6 Intimidating Dog Breeds You Might Want to Avoid.